Panthers WR Avant released after questioning play-calling

Eagles vs. Panthers

MICHAEL KUBEL, THE MORNING CALL

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly talks with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jason Avant before the game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on No. 10. Avant was released by the Panthers for questioning play-calling.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly talks with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jason Avant before the game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on No. 10. Avant was released by the Panthers for questioning play-calling. (MICHAEL KUBEL, THE MORNING CALL)

Avant was released Tuesday, with the Panthers activating fullback Mike Tolbert from short-term injured reserve, where he had been since suffering a leg injury on Sept. 21.

Avant opined after Sunday's game that the Panthers were too conservative in the final minutes while playing for a potential winning field-goal attempt that was missed by Graham Gano.

"I've been in the league a long time. I know two things. You never want to give a team a chance to win a game, with how much time was left on the clock," Avant said. "And asking a kicker to make a 50-yard field goal with the game on the line is rough sledding.

"If that's the only option, yes. But if it's not, you want to get as close as you can and think score and play to score a touchdown. Because I'd rather the team have to score a touchdown to win the game than to have to kick a field goal. It's just a lot different. It's a 30-yard difference."

The 31-year-old Avant played in 11 games for the Panthers this season and had 21 receptions for 201 yards and one touchdown.

He spent his first eight years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and has 318 career catches for 3,847 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Carolina also signed wide receiver/cornerback De'Andre Presley to the active roster from the practice squad and placed offensive tackle Nate Chandler on injured reserve with a knee injury.